I Ching Terms & Glossary
A collection of terms used in the book I Ching
This glossary serves as a helper to unlock the symbolism, concepts, strange words, and philosophical nuances embedded in the I Ching.
Changing Lines: Lines in a hexagram that are marked as changing, indicating areas of potential transformation or development in the situation.
Coin Method: A modern method of consulting the I Ching, involving the tossing of three coins to determine the changing lines.
Consulting the Oracle: The process of casting lots or using yarrow sticks to create a hexagram, seeking guidance from the I Ching on a particular question or situation.
Dragon: The dragon, in the context of the I Ching, is often associated with a symbol of power, strength, and transformation.
Great man: the terms "superior man" or "great man" refer to an idealized and virtuous individual who embodies qualities of wisdom, integrity, compassion, courage and moral strength.
Heaven and Earth: Representations of the two primary trigrams, symbolizing the cosmic forces that influence human life.
Hexagram: A set of six stacked horizontal lines, each representing yin (broken line) or yang (solid line). There are 64 possible hexagrams in the I Ching.
I Ching: Also known as the Book of Changes, it is an ancient Chinese divination text that provides guidance through hexagrams and their interpretations.
Image: A poetic description accompanying each hexagram, providing additional insight into its meaning.
Judgment: A brief statement providing the core meaning of a hexagram, offering guidance on the overall situation.
Lines: The individual lines within a hexagram, each representing a changing or unchanging aspect of the situation. A changing line suggests a dynamic element in the hexagram.
Mutual Containment: A concept in the I Ching where yin and yang are seen as mutually containing each other, emphasizing the interconnectedness of opposites.
Trigram: A set of three stacked lines, each representing yin or yang. There are eight possible trigrams, and they are the building blocks of hexagrams.
Wu Wei: The Daoist concept of effortless action or non-action, often emphasized in the I Ching as a way to navigate challenges with minimal resistance.
Yin and Yang: Fundamental concepts in Chinese philosophy representing the dualistic nature of existence. Yin is associated with the feminine, receptive, and yielding, while yang is associated with the masculine, active, and assertive.